BEREA Whether they dealt with proposed projects, new leaders or just, well, the weather, there were no shortage of stories that came out of Berea this year.

Here is a look back at some of the top happenings in Berea during 2012.

Charlie Kho

One of the saddest events in 2012 dealt with a student who attended the Academy of St. Adalbert. Helen Fettes of Olmsted Falls was charged in January with the hit-skip fatal accident in October 2011 that killed Charlie Kho who lived in Olmsted Township. Fettes pleaded no contest last month to a series of charges, including tampering with evidence and failure to stop after an accident. She was found guilty.

Another gas station on the city’s North End? Well, not yet. Planning Commission rejected a Speedway proposal to build a large gas station for cars and semi-tractor trailers and a convenient store on the southeast corner of North Rocky River Drive and Sheldon Road. Speedway and Ferris Kleem, who owns the property, appealed the city’s decision to the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court. A judge ruled in the city’s favor. It may be appealed to a higher court.

In February the school district began preparing for cuts if its operating levy failed in March. Slated to fall were high school busing, closing buildings after school, higher pay-to-play fees and the release of 50 employees. They didn’t happen because voters approved the 3.9-mill levy with a less than 400 vote margin. It was the first time voters in Middleburg Heights favored a new money operating issue.

Baldwin Wallace University. . . errr Baldwin-Wallace College saw changes. In July it grew up to become a university, lost its hyphen and welcomed its ninth president. Robert C. Helmer officially became BW’s president in July with an October inauguration ceremony. He, wife Linda and children Clare and Abbie live in BW’s President’s House.

BW also changed its looks by ending Jacob and East Grand streets just beyond Beech Street, building a parking lot south of the Lou Higgins Center, renovating freshman residence halls, Bagley Hall and Marting Hall’s cupola. It also turned an old dorm into the R. Amelia Harding House for Sustainable Living on Bagley Road.

BW also introduced two new programs — a 12-month accelerated bachelor of science nursing and a 24-month physician assistant coursework.

The Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds' wind turbine is willing and ready to spin and create energy.Joanne Berger DuMound/Sun News

In March, seven semi-tractor trailers, some of which drove across country, carried huge pieces of a rejuvenated wind turbine that was installed at the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. A crane lifted the five 33- to 47-foot turbine towers in sections, its three 64-foot fiberglass blades and hub to create the 265-foot, 500-kilowatt turbine. It is rated for up to 120-mph winds and generates about 50 percent of the fairgrounds’ power.

Berea Fire Chief Ted Novak retires after serving almost 33 years with the city. His successor was Fire Chief Mark Kaufhold, who was promoted from captain.

The district continues its consolidation plans as Parknoll and Riveredge elementary schools are demolished. The school board voted to name the new high school Berea-Midpark High School, which is at Berea High. The district-wide mascot is Titans, with its new logo a clenched fist holding a lightning bolt. The district-wide colors are blue and orange.

The Cleveland Browns contributed $250,000 from an NFL fund to help build a synthetic football field next to Roehm Middle School. The school district, Lou Groza Football, the city, Berea Rotary, the City Club and others also contributed to help build the field that has a 300-seat bleachers and scoreboard. Future plans at the site, after Roehm is demolished, includes a concession stand, press box, field house with an indoor practice area, track and another synthetic field for lacrosse and soccer.

Berea City Council replaced the city’s 37-year-old zoning code and map with a new one, which includes an Uptown and a Downtown district. The city and its consultant began reviewing the code and map in early 2010, had public hearings and individualized meetings prior to enacting them.

The city looked at two main areas that had excessive water issues during the 2011 storms that flooded basements, streets and backyards. It also established a Berea Inflow & Infiltration Reduction Program Committee after the studies found 83 percent of homes in the Fair Street study and 71 in the north end failed their testing and contribute storm water to the sanitary sewer system.

The Low Sparks Films crew came to town to shoot scenes for its Toy’s House movie. The crew shot scenes during the July 4 parade and others. It will be shown at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.

The Victory Arch across an Eastland Road Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds gate returned after a two-year absence. The 25-foot arch spans 35 feet across the entrance. Berean Doug McJunkins and other retired iron workers donated their time to restore the structure that was originally built in 1929 for $2,390.

Polish Village becomes the city’s first Historical District. It is where immigrants came to live who worked in Berea’s sandstone quarries. That area also welcomed a community garden and playground.

Berea and Midpark High schools saw their last individual homecoming courts. They also faced off for the last time on the football field in the traditional Grindstone game. A sell-out crowd of more than 8,500 attended the contest that Midpark ruled, 63-0.

A late October storm hit the city that caused schools, BW and streets to close across Berea. Some homes remained without electricity for almost a week. First Energy and other utility companies were busy. The city offered those without electricity to go to the recreation center. Volunteer drivers and police were available to transport anyone to the center or two outside shelters. It was estimated that more than 4,000 homes were affected by the storm.

The historic depot reopens as Berea Union Depot Taverne following a five-year absence of a restaurant at that location.

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